Down down down. So far so good. I’m not losing weight as rapidly as when I’m completely strict with Dr Simeon’s protocol, but my sanity is in much better shape. I’m not struggling with the diet at all, in fact, I’ve kinda developed a food aversion. At least to things that I CAN eat. If a cheeseburger was an option I’m suuuuuuure I could find my appetite!

Sticking with a fruit and fat free greek yogurt in the morning. Typically I’ll have a salad with grilled chicken and reduced fat balsamic dressing (1 tb) for lunch. I also found some healthy fresh food providers in SA that sell prepared lo carb low fat healthy food items (like Shrimp Pad Thai with Miracle Noodles – 200 calories), so that has been nice for a switcheroo. Sometime this weekend I’m going to attempt to make cauliflower “fried rice”.

The other thing that no doubt slowed my weight loss was Thanksgiving. I took a two day hiatus, and it was wonderful. I couldn’t eat much, but I had whatever I wanted. At the end of it I was only up by 1 pound. I didn’t have any problems afterwards with plateau, etc. Bonus.

In three weeks I go back to my internist. Depending on how much I lose by then, I may extend my round. Notice what a rebel I am.

Had a good day, no hunger. This was an ideal time to start the HCG because the blood pressure medicine I’m on has resulted in a loss of taste, smell, and hunger. Bonus. That’ll be helpful.

I will allow myself 600-700 calories a day, but could fall under that (this is a mental game too, you know). I’m increasing protein servings to 4 ounces. I’m having a small breakfast. I’ll also mix veggies, but only lo carb ones. I’ll also allow myself to have small indulgences: low fat or fat free salad dressing, Pam spray for sauteeing, a bit of avocado occasionally.

Dinner: I made some yummy turkey meatloaf “cupcakes” that consisted of: 1 lb ground turkey breast, 1 egg, sauteed minced yellow squash (2 cups), onion (1 cup), bell pepper (1 cup), 1 tsp dijon mustard and 1/2 TB worcestershire sauce; salt and pepper. Mixed it all together and filled cupcake tins with it, and it made 9 servings. Baked it at 400 for about 20 minutes. Each serving (one cupcake) is 120 calories – I had one, and steamed cauliflower and broccoli (about one cup). For my sweetheart I made fried shrimp and boiled shrimp (he loves shrimp) – but he was quite impressed with the deliciousness of the turkey meatloaf cupcakes. It’s a keeper recipe. You’ll see these repeated on my menus as I work my way through the leftovers 🙂 Dinner was around 250 calories.

Why am I varying from Dr. Simeon’s strict protocol? Because it’s tough and it was written 50 years ago when food availability was much different. I discussed this with internist and my compounding pharmacist. They are well versed in the original Simeon’s plan as well as the endless variants. They had no concerns on my plan and encouraged me. In some of my previous rounds I was not calorie counting, was being super strict, and looking back on my food – I don’t think I was going over 350 calories a day. That can’t be good.

BOOM! I’m back! I’m starting another round, this time under the supervision of my internist. I’m at 177 (not too bad – but not great either). My blood pressure and cholestorol are high and I have been put on blood pressure medicine (I refused the cholestorol medicine). I don’t want to be on either. My internist has given me three months to get my weight back down, so – LET THE PARTY BEGIN!

You might ask: Why the weight gain? And I would respond: The usual stuff that causes Christy to gain weight – stress, stress, stress. Let’s just say that I’ve been under a metric ton of stress for the last few years. And it’s still ongoing. My recommendation to you: birth control, baby, birth control.

My load days are done and today is my first day of LCD. You will see a modified version of the HCG diet as I progress. Don’t hate me.

Yay!!!! I’m almost done with VLCD, and I’m so glad that I am. I’m ready to move on to P3. I didn’t hit goal but I’m okay with that. KO says I don’t need to lose any more weight, and coming from him, I know he means it. He’s not one to filter what he says! I’m a tall girl and 154 looks pretty damn good on me.

I also have this mind-body thing going on, that I’ve always had, where I always think I’m fat. It never really changes despite the fact that I’m conscious and aware of it. I wish it were an easy thing to shake, but it’s not. I’ll just keep working on it.

I had a blast yesterday on my team outing, and I chose to indulge a bit. I didn’t eat anything at all in the morning so when we rolled into the BBQ place I was starving. At that point too I’d tasted wines from one winery and with no food in my stomach it went straight to my head WHEEEEEE!

Everyone wanted to order family style BBQ and the requirement is that everyone at the table has to have family style – I wasn’t going to be “that person” to insist on ordering individually. So family style it was. I tried a bit of everything but primarily ate protein (brisket, a piece of sausage, a rib). A bite each of potato salad, cole slaw, and beans. And I swear the best thing I had were their jalapenos. They were not the typical pickled jalapenos at all – and I ate two of them!

I was absolutely stuffed after lunch – so full that I didn’t eat dinner at all.

I’m allergic to cake. It makes my ass swell. Have I said that before???? With that in mind, I had no cake (or cupcakes) yesterday. Go Christy!!

The morning of this fine VLCD Day 16 – I decided I needed some beef for dinner – so I thawed a 100 gram portion of my 93/7. I’ve been convinced in the past that I don’t lose well on beef, but I’ve also been convinced in the past that I don’t lose well on shrimp (which I no longer believe). I’m keeping an open mind on things in general (minus the fudge of course) to see if my opinions from the previous rounds still stand.

Really – that’s not why I decided on beef at all – I chose it because that’s what I wanted. And I wanted something that tasted good! And spicy! It sure did the trick.

I made chili by browning 100 grams of 93/7 beef in a skillet (seasoned with salt and pepper in a skillet). I drained the browned beef on paper towels very. very. well. Then I added to a pot along with 1 cup chopped tomatoes, about two cups of water, organic garlic powder, organic onion powder, chili powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, and cilantro – oh and 1 teaspoon of dark cocoa powder. The most challenging part of my dinner was letting it simmer for 30 minutes (I did wind up adding maybe another 3/4 cup of water because it reduces while it cooks). The wonderful aroma aroused my appetite. It was a dinner I wanted to eat.

I did not miss the broth – using water was just fine.

VLCD Day 16 Dinner: Chili

Today is play day! My work peeps are meeting at 10:30 to pile into a van and drive to Austin to enjoy some BBQ and then wineries. I’m one of the designated drivers since I will not be partaking of any vino – but I did decide that I’m going to buy a bottle or two for later. That’s my concession. My lunch at the BBQ place is most likely going to a quarter pound of turkey or very lean briscuit, and some onions and pickles. Nothing else. I’m taking an apple in case I feel like I’m going to chew someone’s leg off 🙂

I got through the baking and cupcake assembly last night – AND I made enchiladas and refried beans, but nary a speck of frosting or cheese crossed these lips. I was good.

Spaghetti and Meatball Cupcakes 😀

The cupcakes and cake turned out so awesomely cool that I have to share pics! I had alot of fun with KO making the cupcakes!

Giant Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake 😀

My food: I decided to do all protein today in an attempt to break my stall, so no apple. I had 50 grams of chicken mid-morning and mid-afternoon instead. Lunch was a 3 oz can of albacore tuna over lettuce, and I made tilapia and onions for dinner. That’s it my peeps!